Dealing With Violations Under Thailand's Factory Act

The Factory Act B.E. 2535 (1992) is one of the most important laws regulating manufacturing businesses in Thailand. It applies to businesses either with machinery of 50 horsepower or more in total, or with a minimum of 50 workers in a facility that conducts "factory work" as defined under related ministerial regulations.

The act was recently amended to extend the period of validity for factory licenses and to make other miscellaneous changes that facilitate business. However, the act's criminal liabilities were left unchanged, and they remain a vital tool for the authorities to exert control over relevant standards and prosecute violations. Both fines and imprisonment are available as sanctions under the law.